Take a look inside the Youth Hostel at Okehampton.

I called in to the Youth Hostel at Okehampton on a sunny day in October 2010 and a class of youngsters were having
a splendid time on the climbing wall outside. The hostel is often home to groups of kids taking on the high wall,
kayaking, canoeing, raft building, mountain boarding or pony trekking, and the odd shriek is heard from outside.

This converted building was once one of the railway goods sheds at the old station in Klondyke Road.
The buiding maintains it's integrity with a very good conversion. Old on the outside and contemporary within.

Take a look at the impressive common room that serves as a lounge.
A good space to meet like minded travellers and compare notes in the evening.

The bunk rooms are light and airy. Ideal for group bookings. This one above has an excellent shower room en-suite.
See the photo below. Anyone can stay at a YHA youth hostel, provided they have space on the night you want to stay.

When people ask me about youth hostelling the one thing that I always tell them is - make sure that you book as early as you can because the Dartmoor hostels are all very busy in the Summer months, this being such a brilliant area for outdoor holidays. Talking of which, you can partake in all manner of activities here in Okehampton. For a fee, you can book campfire fun and night walk (£5), gorge scrambling, rock climbing, high ropes, kayaking (£17) even surfing
and body boarding for £33, but your own transport is required for that as the venue is some 30 miles distant.

The hostel is run by young friendly staff who are used to active teenagers and kids.
I was shown around by Anna the Activity Co-ordinator. Everywhere is clean and warm, even in October.
It's a well organised place with food on offer in the dining room, or if you prefer......

You can do your own cooking in the member's kitchen if you so wish. The hostel has extra folding beds in reserve.

As a Mum myself, I know that this is just the right sort of place for older kids who want to be independent, but still benefit from a secure base that has rules and guidance. And for outdoor type families this is absolutely perfect.
The Youth Hostel Association, and especially this one at Okehampton, offers good quality budget accommodation.

Staying at a youth hostel is a wonderful way to meet people and make friends, often visitors from other parts of the world. I can highly recommend it.

Okehampton YHA Hostel, Okehampton, EX20 1EW Telephone: 01837 53916, Email, Grid Ref SX 592 944.

To see more of my reviews click below

All photos by me Jill Pendleton of www.dartmooraccommodation.co.uk